Member Reviews
I'm a huge fan of Huda, I was so excited to read this. Well done Huda for putting yourself out there and using your art to bring the issues that visibly Muslim women face in to the spotlight. Unfortunately, I have been on the receiving end of racist comments and actions of others, I know that I'm not alone. It's so great to see that Huda is presenting and dealing with these serious issues with humour.
Huda Fahmy has written an awesome graphic novel showcasing the endless microaggressions women who choose to wear the hijab go through every day. This is a great book to help start a conversation on inherent bias, stereotyping, discrimination, and all of the many ways these women are met with prejudice every day.
This collection of comics by Huda (Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda-Huda) Fhamy is hilarious, eye-opening and entirely relatable depiction of life as a hijabi and the various overt and covert discriminations and micro-aggressions Muslims (particularly Muslim women) face on a daily basis.
I laughed, cackled, teared up and cheered all the way through, and I think my shriveled empathy capacity grew at least three sizes today.
A must read!
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
A cute and funny look at the problems that hijabi face in a western society that, despite claiming otherwise, still very much has racist overtones, institutional racism, and a fear and hatred of Islam in particular.
I am a white woman, who has, on occasion, wondered these things - it must be hot in hijab, or other modesty coverings, after all!
These comics gave me insight into both the curiosities I had but also the larger issues that hijabi face and how thoughtless actions and words can be microaggressions that wear down the receiver. Also, it's always good to be unavoidably faced with the things white people have done - it makes me uncomfortable to see a comic about a man shouting at and being aggressive towards hijabi. It should make me uncomfortable! That's a good thing, because making this point in a lighthearted comic style makes it both easier to look at and mote uncomfy - our caricatures shouldn't be so horrid. This book has made me more aware of women in Islam, and how perhaps, I can be a better person by never doing some of the things the author has immortalised in these comics!
*ARC was provided by Adams Media through NetGalley.
I am a huge fan of Instagram cartoonists so I was so excited to read "Yes, I'm Hot in This". Huda is open about her feelings and illustrates them well. Common struggles that you might not be aware of as non-Muslim quickly become relatable. We need more books like this that shed light on microaggressions. I devoured this in one sitting because it was the perfect amount of funny.
I loved this book, read it in one sitting. It is funny, witty and at times heartbreaking. The art is really cute and colourful. I Thank you to the creator for sharing so openly and with sass her experience in dealing with people’s ignorance towards her culture and faith.
I gobbled up this book in two sittings, finished it in one day. Really appreciated Huda Fahmy's perspective as an American Muslim hijabi. (Her useful glossary at the end of the book taught me the slang word for a Muslim woman who wears a hijab!) Her collection of comics is informative and funny while simultaneously opening eyes to microaggressions used against those considered different - in this case, Muslims.
The book is fast moving and jumps quickly through vignettes, which keeps it light, even when getting at something poignant.
I look forward to a longer story arc from Huda. Maybe a more official memoir??? Crossing fingers.
Can't wait to add this book into my classroom library.
Thank you to NetGalley and Adams Media for the chance to read an advance readers copy of Fahmy's work.
This book is eyeopening, heartbreaking, and laugh out loud funny all at once. I'm thankful to the artist for sharing her story and sorry for all of the hardship she has endured. It's amazing that she can share her story in such a humorous manner! I highly recommend this book.
Cute graphic novel with a laugh out loud sense of humour. Addressing the difficulties of dealing with ignorance toward Muslim culture, the books narrator/heroine explains it all with sass and seriousness. Depending on the situation of course, this was a lovely quick read.
This book is typical in format of many comic books being put out by Instagram or internet artists, but the content is unique. Huda Fahmy brings her experiences as a Muslim woman who chooses to wear a hijab in the United States these days. What makes the book fun is that it teaches non-Muslims, such as myself, about these experiences interacting with other Muslims and with general society while providing laughs along the way. While you will learn about her life experiences that may be different than yours, you will relate to a LOT of what she is saying. I recommend this as a fun, quick, read that might just teach you something along the way!
Thank you NetGalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this graphic novel! What a great way to discuss microaggressions and misconceptions about the Islamic faith. Fahmy does a wonderful job showcasing realistic scenarios and possible positive or negative outcomes. I especially liked how Fahmy worked to end the book on a hopeful note for the future of American society.
I'm no stranger to Instagram cartoonists, but I actually hadn't read any of <i>Yes, I'm Hot in This</i> prior to the galley. I really enjoyed getting to read this genre from a Muslim American perspective - I can't speak for all cartoonists, but many that I've seen are white woman writing about mental health. That's still important, but it's pretty homogenous.
Fahmy thanked the author behind <i>Introvert Doodles</i> in the intro, and I think kind of explains why I didn't like this. Both share the kind of childish humor that I might brush off pretty quickly on Instagram, but left a weird taste in my mouth in a book. I don't expect pinnacle seriousness from Insta comics, but it hits a point where I really wouldn't recommend picking up the physical book or checking out the work at all.
I also didn't like the artwork - it looked really sloppy and was a big deterrent to reading the collection. I think that different artists can definitely have different unique styles that set them apart (that don't have to be perfect), but the art was really basic and not appealing to look at. Most of the substance in the book came from Fahmy's perspective on being Muslim in the US, but other than that, I really wasn't a fan.
At times quite humorous and at times rather dejecting, <i>Yes, I'm Hot in This: The Hilarious Truth about Life in a Hijab</i> by Huda Fahmy is an insightful account of the various every day encounters Muslim women face as a result of the attire they wear for their religion. The truth is, many of these people are not given understanding and empathy or even the chance to share their culture and religion with others. Rather, many people in America make their own assumptions based on misinformation and propaganda. But fortunately, there are books like this graphic novel to counter the disastrous damage that has been done to this culture and these people.
What <i>Yes, I'm Hot in This</i> does exceptionally well is show that, in spite of the insufferable and unreasonable stereotyping and nonsensical lies spread about this culture, people in Hijab's are just that: people. They live lives similar to everyone else's in a great many ways, they enjoy reading books and watching television the same as many others. The major difference lies solely in their religion.
While I'm personally not a fan of any religion, I do find it utterly despicable that often this world seems to pick and choose which religions are okay and which ones aren't. This world tries to make up some nonsense about how religions that don't match their own are evil in some way--which might be, honestly, why I tend to dislike religions in general as they always seem to bring about some ridiculous fight over whose god is the "real" god--and I think it was truly wonderful to receive an insight into the struggles of a Muslim woman looking for a place to pray. And, in true typical fashion, the white friend character made little effort to understand.
Overall, this book was pretty wonderful. While it did make me sad at times I felt that it was also a very realistic, raw, and true commentary on the world today regarding how many Americans treat other cultures unfairly. Just as Huda hopes for a better world filled with more empathy and understanding, I too hope that we can one day reach a point where that is possible. And if there's anything to show for the fact that, miraculously, this world is making progress it is the fact that this book is going to be out there on December 11th for people to broaden their understanding of a culture and religion that is not their own.
And I hope it has an impact in changing the way others think about and react to the kind, good-natured people who do in fact share a great many things with others and yet have been ostracized for ridiculous reasons in this country.
<i>I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>
This is an eye-opening look into lives of Muslims in the United States, presented with humor and honesty. Huda is open about her experiences and how she responds to them. Her frustration is understandable, and expressed respectfully. A collection of comics feels like a great format for initiating discussion on these sometimes sensitive topics.
"Yes I'm Hot in This" is a simple collection of comics by Huda Fahmy about herself as a Muslim-American navigating a life that is full of dealing with the curiosity and comical (and also at times irritating) misconceptions of others - and it's absolutely brilliant. With just these illustrated snapshots, readers are provided a prime chance to walk in the shoes of a woman whose experiences are shared by a sizable (and growing) minority of an increasingly diverse America. It's exactly the kind of work we need plenty more of, and I hope that Fahmy inspires others to follow in her footsteps and give themselves both a voice and an opportunity for others to share their day-to-day lives.
(Also, I am definitely going to try and add this to my library's graphic novel collection as soon as is feasible)
Funny, touching, and sometimes sad, <i>Yes, I'm Hot in This</i> is a collection of cartoons from Instagram cartoonist Huda Fahmy. Previous familiarity with Fahmy's work is not required, although after reading it you may wish to follow her (as I did) at https://www.instagram.com/yesimhotinthis/?hl=en
This is just fantastic! Huda has an amazing sense of humor, while also being in-your-face about microaggressions (and just plain aggressions) directed towards Muslim Americans. She alternately makes you think, cry, and laugh, which is no small feat. I think this is a great quick read for anyone, but is especially important for white people. In Trump's America, Muslims need as many allies as they can get. If you aren't already an ally, you will be once you're done reading it.